Headless-chicken-packing

Hello there everybody, and welcome back to a new blog post! This week has been a pretty important one in my life as I worked my last shifts at Thorntons and began packing my life up to move across the country! (Or rather, to another country, sort of, although that does sound rather more melodramatic than necessary!) So, I kicked off my week by going to lunch with some lovely people who I've been working with to create a commission, but that's a story for another time, since I'd like to go into depth about that so I think I'll keep you waiting on that front! (I promise this isn't just a clever trick to make sure you come back next time, I genuinely just want to do that particular blog post justice and as I'm up to my ears in packing this week, I won't be able to dedicate enough time to it, so I promise, that'll be coming soon!) So that was how I spent my Sunday afternoon, and then moving onto Monday, it was the first of my last shifts at Thorntons! I soooo didn't want to leave Thorntons, it's one of the best jobs I have ever had and the people there have become like a little family to me, and so tomorrow will be the last time I see them and leave the shop for the last time... I will certainly be trying very hard to keep the tears at bay I think! (When did I get so sentimental and soppy??! I honestly don't know when or how that happened...)

However, I'm going to be moving back to work at another one of the best jobs I've ever had, and I'll be back to working with my Mum, which is always something to look forward to, and so while I am sad to leave, I know I am going back to something I'll enjoy! Enough about work for now anyway, I'm supposed to be talking about packing, and my packing top tips for those who are in need! I know that it is holiday and festival season and also very nearly the end of the final term for university for a lot of people too, and so I thought I'd lend my extensive knowledge on moving. (See previous blog post - I have moved house a LOT.) So, without further preamble, let me lend you some top tips on packing and moving house: 1. Put that cardboard box down! Before you do anything at all, my key piece of advice would be to MAKE A LIST. As someone who has moved a lot, and travelled back and forth a lot, one of the worst things is when you're about to set off and you suddenly wonder if you packed that charger, or that very important piece of paper you needed. Now, in the past when I've done this, to confirm I've not forgotten *insert important item* I have had to unpack my often very Tetris-esque packed car/rucksack to double check. This is not a fun game to play, especially if like me, you're often cutting it a bit close time-wise. So, my packing pals, fear not, there is a solution, trialed and tested by yours truly. I know I'm obviously not the first person to suggest a list, far from it, but as the biggest fan of lists that I know of, take it from me, it might just save you 32 minutes and a lot of backache and unwilling Tetris-re-packing. Make a list, with little tick boxes, so you can pack to your hearts content and whilst packing, be able to tick off what you've definitely packed. Make sure you put literally everything you'll need on your list, too. I sometimes go through my regular morning routine, for example, to make sure I've got everything I'd need for it. Get up, brush teeth, contact lenses in, make up, hair. So that'd give me a whopping list for my morning routine alone. It sounds tedious and unneccassary, and maybe it is, but personally, as a list-lover, it certainly helps me stay focused and clear-minded. And it saves me from having to dig through all my meticulously organised things four times before I set off to make sure I've got all those last-minute-thoughts bits and bobs.

(Just an example list and by no means thorough enough! I'll most certainly be adding to this once I've finished this post, don't fret, fellow list-lovers!)

2. Pack in sections. Once you've got your trusty list, and begun the dreaded packing, my advice would be to pack in sections. If you're moving house, pack not only by room, but also by section, like by cupboard or drawer. It just makes unpacking a little easier, and if for any reason you need to find something, you can know exactly which box or bag its hiding in since you knew it once resided in that kitchen drawer. 3. Label your list. This sort of falls hand in hand with tips one and two, but if you've made a list and packed in sections, you can note on your list where each bit is packed.i.e 'make-up bag' - in blue suitcase. This tip isn't really massively important, but if you're advance packing for a holiday or for moving, this can be handy to keep track of things. 4. Pack 'biggest and hardest' first. If you're loading a car or van or even just packing a bag, I always tend to put the biggest items in first. This means that all your smaller and squishier items can squeeze in all the gaps later on, and generally I find this saves me space in the long run. 5. I feel a little bit like a hypocrite for this tip, because I don't often follow this one, but start early. The earlier you start, the more time you have to get sorted and make sure you don't forget anything. As a bit of a headless-chicken-packer, I tend to run around throwing things into suitcases and haphazardly ticking them off as I go, but I'm trying to give myself more time and get more organised. This list is as much for me as it is for you!

6. Take pictures! This is more applicable if you're moving house, particularly if you're hoping to get your deposit back on your current house, so take pictures of everything. This way, if you're charged for anything wrongly, you have proof on your side that you're not in the wrong. Also, since I'm apparently a very nostalgic and sentimental person these days, it can also just be nice to have some pictures of where you used to live to look back on, even if it is a little empty.

And I do believe those are all the tips I have time for, because I really should follow tip 5 at this point and get started. I'd also just like to mention that this will be my last blog post ... From my current house! (Did I scare you? Sorry, I couldn't help it, it had to be done!) I will of course be continuing my blogs, except when you read next week's post, it will have been written most likely from my Mum's house, seeing as that's where I'll be living until I can find myself and Farren a new apartment closer to Anglesey. If you are local and know of any nice apartments or flats suitable for a young couple, please let us know! You can never have too many pairs of eyes on the lookout! (Bonus tip?) Anyhoo folks, like I said - time to pack! Thanks for reading as always, and I'll catch you next week! Rachel x Also a little P.S... I bought La La Land on DVD so now I can not only listen to the soundtrack endlessly (yep, still) I can now watch it over and over and over again too! (look how pretty)